Rangers skipper James Tavernier has thanked Steven Gerrard for giving him the biggest boot in his behind.
The Ibrox full-back admits his game had become riddled with complacency earlier this season before Gerrard stepped in with his size nines.
Fingers were pointed at Tavernier when two errors allowed Young Boys to snatch a 2-1 victory in the Europa League tie in Switzerland in October.
The criticism reached its crescendo later that month when he slipped up at against Hearts in a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle.
Gerrard backed his skipper publicly and didn’t drop him from the team, but behind the scenes he told Tavernier a few home truths before throwing an arm of support around his shoulder.
Now Tavernier would love to pay back his manager by leading Rangers to domestic silverware this season and even deeper into European competition.
He said: “I suffered a bit of complacency and felt too comfortable and it showed in my performances when I was making mistakes in games I wouldn’t normally make.
“You almost need a kick up the a**e when it comes to stuff like that and the gaffer was rightly there to do that - and I appreciate him for doing that.
“Every lad needs a little push every so often, but the support from the gaffer also boosted me massively.
“He was right there and the staff were also behind me to back me and show great belief at that time. I’ve got to re-pay them.
"Obviously, we need to now deliver trophies and we also have an important Europa League tie coming up, as well as the Scottish Cup and a title race.
“It’s a very good position to be in and we’ve got to keep pushing.”
Tavernier has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with first club Newcastle and West Ham reportedly interested in taking him back to England.
Gerrard doesn’t want to lose any of his first team regulars during the January transfer window and that is music to the ears of Tavernier.
He added: “My contract is here and I’m fully committed to the team. We’re halfway through the season, in a great position and my family are settled.
“In football it can sometimes be out of your hands, but I’m delighted to be here and want to continue.”
